House-builders say the credit crunch is not affecting them in Bracknell.

Reports of a national slowdown in the take-up of new homes are way off the mark, they say.

George Wimpey, which is building homes at Jennett’s Park and The Parks, sold 11 homes in the last four weeks, said Tim Betts, one of the company’s sales and marketing director.

He added: “There’s no doubt the property market is hardening in the UK, and some people are feeling the pinch.

“But by offering high-quality homes at competitive prices, combined with a wide choice of incentives to help lower the cost of home-ownership and to assist existing home-owners in finding a buyer for their property, our sales have continued at a strong rate in Bracknell.”

George Wimpey has several schemes on offer to convince first-time buyers now is a good time to buy.

They include paying the stamp duty and five per cent deposit, and a first-time buyer initiative with English Partnerships, which sees the Government contribute up to 50 per cent of the price of the home.

Persimmon Homes is also reporting high levels of interest at its Sovereign Fields development at Jennett’s Park.

“Given the toughening mortgage market and difficult recent economic conditions, we are delighted by the level of sales at Sovereign Fields,” said Karen Howard, head of sales for Persimmon Homes Thames Valley.”

Persimmon is offering buyers the opportunity to part-exchange their home so that the developer buys their house and then sells it on for them.

“Part exchanging really is the simplest and swiftest means of moving home with us,” said Karen. “All too often we hear stories of househunters who have lost out on their dream property because they couldn’t sell their current home.”

Persimmon is also offering its Helping Hand scheme on selected plots, where homeowners can purchase 100 per cent of their property for just 85 per cent of the price.

A spokeswoman for Redrow Homes also said there had been no slowdown in the rate of building at Jennett’s Park.